India on High Alert as Global Mpox Cases Surge.

The Centre has issued alerts to authorities at airports, ports, and borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan to remain vigilant for international passengers displaying symptoms of monkeypox (mpox), as the virus continues to spread globally. In Delhi, three state-run hospitals—Ram Manohar Lohia, Safdarjung, and Lady Hardinge—have been designated to quarantine, manage, and treat mpox cases. The Centre has also directed all states to prepare hospitals to handle potential mpox cases, ensuring that these hospitals are publicly identified as nodal centers.

In a review meeting chaired by PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country’s preparedness for mpox was discussed, with officials noting that no cases have been reported in India so far. While the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern due to its spread across Africa, Indian officials believe the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission in India remains low.

The Health Ministry has been instructed to ensure that the network of testing laboratories is prepared for early diagnosis. Currently, 32 laboratories in India are equipped for mpox testing, reflecting the government’s proactive approach to preventing the spread of the virus within the country.

According to WHO, since 2022, there have been 99,176 mpox cases and 208 deaths reported globally. In India, at least 30 cases have been reported since 2022, with the most recent case detected in March this year. The virus continues to surge in regions like the Democratic Republic of Congo, with this year’s global case numbers already surpassing last year’s.

India remains on high alert, closely monitoring the situation and reinforcing its public health infrastructure to prevent any potential outbreaks, while the global community grapples with the rising threat of mpox.